The debate of 3D versus 2D in screen based attractions – DePaoli on DeParks

3D use in entertainment goes back long before theme parks started using the technology. One of the first major motion pictures to use the gimmick of 3D is “House of Wax” from 1953. It seems every couple of decades, Hollywood tries to make 3D appealing to upsell movie tickets. It never seems to catch on the way they want.

The word I typically use for 3D is gimmick. Sure, it’s cute sometimes. But in a full length movie, I have little interest. It seems the public feels the same way. Or perhaps they simply don’t want to pay the added cost that often comes along with it.

In the case of theme park attractions, the added benefit they have is the content is short in length. The novelty of 3D can be shown in a short period before becoming tiresome. For many years, theme park attractions have taken advantage of this while adding additional elements for a “4D” experience.

But now, even 3D in theme parks feels like it’s becoming a thing of the past. Universal’s Skull Island: Reign of Kong attraction recently “temporarily” removed 3D features. My guess is, if the audience response is ok without the 3D, it’ll stay that way. In the past, we’ve seen Universal remove 3D from Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem as well as Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey in various parks.

In some more recent iterations of attractions where you might expect them to use 3D, the option has never been available. When DreamWorks Theatre Featuring Kung Fu Panda replaced Shrek 4-D at Universal Studios Hollywood, the 3D element was never present.

It appears audiences are even less interested in 3D when an attraction is motion based. 3D innately makes the video image darker and even less clear. Adding movement to a somewhat blurry image can cause nausea if you’re sensitive to such things. Plus, we live in an age where we’re used to crystal clear imagery. 3D has never gotten to that point successfully.

The kind of attraction where 3D does seem to still be accepted is when you’re sitting in a theater enjoying a show. I personally prefer this sort of attraction as what we’re seeing on the screen is often portrayed as being on a “stage”. Good examples of this would be Honey, I Shrunk the Audience from Disney’s yesteryear, or currently It’s Tough to be a Bug! at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

One particular use of 3D in theme parks I’m not particularly fond of, but you could make an argument for, is haunted houses. Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios has used 3D glasses for mazes including This is the End 3D, Black Sabbath 13-3D, and more. In these cases, it feels particularly gimmicky. But there’s no denying it can also make you a bit disoriented, which could be beneficial for scares in a haunted house.

In a world where you can now have a 3D television in your home, the novelty of using it at a movie theater or theme park seems to have waned. Augmented reality feels like the next progression as we’ve now seen in Universal Studios Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge.

One minimal, but favorite thing for me when 3D is used in a theme park attraction are the creative names for 3D glasses. Very rarely do you simply wear a pair of 3D glasses. They’re typically given themed names like Quidditch Goggles, Minion Goggles, Bug Eyes, Safety Visors, etc. I always get a kick out of that.

What do you think? Do you like 3D attractions in theme parks, or would you enjoy it just as much without the 3D glasses? Are there any attractions where you feel 3D is used best and worst? Leave a comment and let me know.

Jeff DePaoli is an event producer and voiceover artist living in Los Angeles. He can be heard as the voice of Disney Trivia on Alexa as well as the host of “Dizney Coast to Coast” podcast, where he and his special guests share honest opinions on all things Disney. Get your FREE gifts of “America’s Hidden Mickeys,” “On the Rohde Again,” “Theme Park Comfort Kit” and more at DizneyCoastToCoast.com. DePaoli’s opinions are his own and do not necessarily represent Attractions Magazine.